This course explains how to recognise abuse and neglect of adults, what the Care Act 2014 requires, and how to respond and make a safeguarding referral in England. It covers the ten categories of abuse, the six safeguarding principles, Making Safeguarding Personal, mental capacity, information sharing and documentation, with worked cases. Learners in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should apply the equivalent legislation in their nation.
What you will learn
- Define an adult at risk under section 42 of the Care Act 2014 and describe the local authority's duty to make enquiries.
- Recognise the types and indicators of abuse and neglect, including self-neglect, domestic abuse and modern slavery.
- Apply the six safeguarding principles and the Making Safeguarding Personal approach when responding to a concern.
- Follow a clear process for responding to a disclosure or concern, including making the person safe, consent, mental capacity and referral.
- Share information lawfully and proportionately, and document safeguarding concerns accurately.
Course content
- What adult safeguarding is (3 min)
- Types and indicators of abuse (4 min)
- The six principles and Making Safeguarding Personal (2 min)
- Consent, capacity and when to act without consent (3 min)
- Responding to a concern: step by step (3 min)
- Case study: self-neglect (2 min)
- Information sharing and documentation (2 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- Care Act 2014 (sections 42 to 47) and the Care and Support Statutory Guidance, Department of Health and Social Care
- Adult Safeguarding: Roles and Competencies for Health Care Staff (Intercollegiate Document, second edition, published 2024)
- Mental Capacity Act 2005 and its Code of Practice
- GMC: Good Medical Practice (2024) and its ethical hub advice on adult safeguarding; NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018)
- HCPC: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics (2024); GPhC: Standards for pharmacy professionals (2017)
- NHS England: Safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk in the NHS: Safeguarding accountability and assurance framework
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.